Texas A&M University-Kingsville plans to seek $42 million for music building expansion

Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times
Josue Ortega, a music education student at Texas A&amp;M University-Kingsville, rehearses Nov. 19 in a rehearsal room that also serves as storage space in the music building. The program's national accreditation is in jeopardy if officials can't gain funds from the Legislature to renovate or expand the current building, which was built in 1960.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

KINGSVILLE - Student Orlando Medrano often spends too much practice time searching for available rehearsal space in Texas A&M University-Kingsville's music building.

The 52-year-old building's few practice rooms have acoustics that don't create a good enough sound quality for the French horn player to warm up in, Medrano said.

So, Medrano spends a lot of time looking for open classroom space.

"Usually, that's impossible, too," he said.

Medrano, 25, is one of about 210 majors within the university's music program, which has tried for years to gain funds from the Legislature to pay for an expansion of the existing building.

When the Legislature meets in January, A&M-Kingsville officials plan to request $42 million for the renovation and expansion of the building.

"The existing facility is inadequate," university President Steven Tallant said.

Tallant said he has received letters from the National Association of Schools of Music saying the university's music program accreditation is in jeopardy without renovations.

"It's not just a matter of wanting a nicer and bigger place," he said.

Architectural plans call for the addition of about 62,000 square feet to the existing 28,000-square-foot building.

State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, filed pre-legislation earlier this month that seeks the authorization of tuition revenue bonds, or the money that taxpayers give to build state buildings, to fund capital improvements at Texas public higher education institutions.

Zaffrini filed Senate Bill 272 during the last legislative session asking for the Legislature to approved funds for a new music building at A&M-Kingsville as well as projects at other public colleges and universities, including $75 million for a life sciences building at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Tuition revenue bonds weren't awarded last session.

The Corpus Christi university officials also plan to ask again for funds for a life sciences building as well as $51 million for an arts and media building.

Tallant said the Kingsville university's music program enrollment numbers have grown more than 53 percent in the past five years, and it is projected to increase 70 percent within the next eight years.

But the building already is beyond capacity in terms of students, faculty offices, classrooms, practice rooms and storage space, music department Chairman Paul Hageman said. He said the first request for more space was made in 1996.

The lack of space has caused many classrooms to be used for multiple purposes, and students often have to set up and break down risers, instruments and other equipment in preparation for classes, Hageman said.

"That's not normal," he said.

The national association also is concerned about students' health and safety while moving equipment, he said, adding the university plans to train students on how to properly move equipment.

Accreditation officials plan to visit the university during the 2015-16 school year.

Medrano, of Roma, said he came to the university because of the music program's reputation and the recommendation of some successful alumni.

Many students come to the university because they are close to home, but some may be swayed to go elsewhere because the facilities don't meet the standards of lesser known music departments, he said.